Kento Kaku’s New Frontier: The ‘Old Joe’ Persona – From the Panama Hat in ‘OLDJOE’ to ‘From Today, It’s My Turn!!’ Merch, Here’s Why We Can’t Take Our Eyes Off Him
Right now, there’s one man who’s absolutely impossible to ignore: Kento Kaku. From morning till night, it feels like there isn’t a day we don’t see his face – whether it’s on the big screen, streaming services, or even the merch stands – he’s constantly entertaining us with his sheer presence. After all, the range he displays, from that character Takashi Mitsuhashi to a yakuza dandy, is simply extraordinary. This time, we’re diving into the distinctly “Old Joe” charm of Kento Kaku.
The Aesthetic of a Man in ‘OLDJOE’: A Pride as Solid as the ‘Box It Comes In’
First up, the film causing a stir is ‘OLDJOE’. Kaku plays Satoru Nishimura, a former yakuza now in his middle years. In this film, directed by Ren Yamada and scripted by Naoya Morishita, his portrayal of a man with a “weathered” allure is something else. What particularly catches the eye is the Panama hat perched on his head. This is no ordinary headwear. Beyond its presence in the film, the fact that it’s actually available as a made-to-order item, sold in a ‘box’ to protect it, truly evokes a sense of masculine romance.
It has that understated charm that makes you imagine him muttering a line like, “A bloke like me shouldn’t be wearing this,” but the way he turns even that slight ‘mismatch’ into an asset is classic Kaku right now. I can’t be the only one who, after watching the film, found themselves checking their own profile in the mirror. There’s a true sense of masculine elegance in the way he walks with his back straight, wearing that hat.
The ‘Coward’ from ‘From Today, It’s My Turn!!’ Is Making a Comeback
But while he’s showing us this sophisticated side, we can’t forget the other one: that blonde hair. Yes, we’re talking about Takashi Mitsuhashi from ‘From Today, It’s My Turn!!’. The success of the film version is still fresh in our minds, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. I heard that the acrylic keychains released exclusively at Lawson sold out in a flash. It really drives home his star power. And to top it off, it seems the red T-shirt featuring that iconic “Coward” logo (apparently the large size is especially popular) is being re-released to coincide with the ‘From Today, It’s My Turn!!’ exhibition.
If you wear that “Coward” T-shirt out and about, you’ll instantly find yourself bonding with fellow fans. It’s a huge achievement that Kaku has managed to establish such a charismatic character in the modern era. There’s a brilliant gap between Mitsuhashi’s good looks and his occasional goofiness, yet he gets serious when it counts. I believe this masterful sense of balance is an art form unique to him.
- ‘From Today, It’s My Turn!!’ Related Merch: The Lawson-exclusive acrylic keychains were a sell-out sensation.
- ‘From Today, It’s My Turn!!’ Exhibition: The event-exclusive “Coward” T-shirt (red/large size) is an absolute must-have.
- Film ‘OLDJOE’: Directed by Ren Yamada, scripted by Naoya Morishita. Kaku’s Panama hat as Satoru Nishimura is a must-see.
On the Other Side of ‘AI’, Co-starring with Takao Osawa and Kanata Iwamoto
If we broaden our view further, the sheer breadth of his work is astounding. In the film ‘AI Amok’, he delivered a gripping performance in a near-future suspense alongside Takao Osawa’s Kosuke Kiryu and Kanata Iwamoto’s Makoto Sakuraba. Amidst that tension, the unique presence Kaku commands had a different texture than his comedic roles, drawing you into the screen. Recently, even items like a mobile battery linked to that film became a talking point, proving that “Kento Kaku” as a brand is a multimedia entertainment experience.
Observing how he carves out his place alongside a senior like Takao Osawa and an ally like Kanata Iwamoto, the process alone makes it clear that his depth as an actor is continually increasing.
Conclusion: Keep Your Eye on this ‘Old Joe’
Looking at everything, films, dramas, merchandise, events… he really hits the mark from every direction. From a lively young character like Takashi Mitsuhashi to a man with mature gravitas like Satoru Nishimura – it’s as if he has multiple different ‘Joes’ living inside him.
Looking ahead at his schedule, there’s no sign this momentum will slow down. What kind of face will he show us on his next project? Perhaps one day, he might just show up wearing that Panama hat and a “Coward” T-shirt. That too would be a uniquely entertaining moment only possible with a one-of-a-kind entertainer like Kento Kaku. In any case, we won’t be able to take our eyes off him for a while. Or rather, we don’t want to. We’ll be keeping a close watch on the ‘Old Joe’ persona of this man, Kento Kaku.